Hydroponic plant cultivating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus including a reservoir having a base defining a first portion of the reservoir and a cover defining a second portion of the reservoir. An upper opening is defined in the cover. A planting column with a hollow interior is positioned above the upper opening. At least one planting port is defined in the planting column. A conduit can pass through the hollow interior of the planting column, the conduit fluidly communicated with the reservoir. A fluid distributor is positioned atop the planting column, the fluid distributor in fluid communication with the conduit. Fluid is selectively circulated from the reservoir through the conduit in the planting column to the fluid distributor, where the fluid is redirected down the hollow interior of the planting column and back to the reservoir. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus including a reservoir positioned on a plurality of rollers.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 62/243,767 filed Oct. 20, 2015 entitled IMPROVED HYDROPONIC PLANTCULTIVATING APPARATUS (Attorney Docket No. 028995.51158), which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patentfile or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to hydroponic devices for plantcultivation, or plant cultivation systems that use nutrient rich waterwhich may also be referred to as tonic to grow plants, as opposed tousing soil.

More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an improvedhydroponic cultivation system. An example of a conventional hydroponiccultivation system can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,282 to Bryan,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Inconventional hydroponic plant cultivation systems, a reservoir holds thenutrient rich water which is pumped to the top of a planting columnwhere the water is directed back downward on the roots of plantscontained within the planting column. In conventional systems, thereservoir that held the nutrient rich water typically had a flat coverand a generally square, rectangular, or cylindrical shape. Watercontained in reservoirs of such shapes can distribute heat unevenly andas such uneven temperature distributions can be produced throughout thenutrient rich water.

Plant nutrients contained in the water for hydroponic plant cultivationsystems can have optimal storage temperatures and conditions which canhelp prolong the life and efficacy of the nutrients being used in thecultivation system. Inconsistent temperature distribution throughout thereservoir could produce hot or cold spots in the reservoir which canadversely affect the nutrients if the temperature of the water in thehot and cold spots of the reservoir falls outside of the nutrient'soptimal storage conditions. Improper storage conditions could adverselyaffect the useful life and efficacy of the nutrients, which could inturn affect plant growth within the cultivation system.

Another problem with conventional hydroponic plant cultivation systemsis that lids or covers for reservoirs in the hydroponic systems aregenerally flat. As such, as the system is run and humidity builds up inthe reservoir between the fluid and the lid or cover, moisture can formon the lid or cover, which can cause mold to form inside the reservoir.Mold inside the reservoir can affect the quality of the nutrients in thesystem and may also require the reservoir to be cleaned. To clean thereservoir the planting column would need to be removed from thereservoir and the flow of water to the plants would have to be stopped,which is undesirable as the supply of nutrients to the plants isinterrupted.

Another problem with conventional hydroponic plant cultivation systemsis that they are difficult to move or relocate. Conventional systems arerequired to be lifted in order to move the systems to a differentlocation. During the relocation process, water can remain in thereservoir and can add substantial weight which would have to be liftedin addition to the weight of the apparatus itself. In some systems, theweight of the water can be so burdensome that the nutrient rich watermust be removed in order to lift and relocate the system, which resultsin a waste of nutrient rich water. Otherwise, the operator would have towait until the water was depleted to a manageable weight before movingthe system. Additionally, in conventional solutions, if the hydroponicsystem were to be lifted with water remaining in the reservoir, thewater could shift during the relocation process and potentially spillfrom the reservoir, again wasting the nutrient rich water in thereservoir.

What is needed then are improvements to hydroponic plant cultivationsystems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a hydroponic plant cultivationapparatus including a reservoir for holding fluid, the reservoir havinga base and a cover, the base defining a first portion of the reservoir,and the cover defining a second portion of the reservoir. An upperopening can be defined in the cover. A planting column having a hollowinterior can be positioned above the upper opening in the cover of thereservoir. At least one planting port can be defined in the plantingcolumn, the planting port configured to receive plants at leastpartially into the hollow interior of the planting column. A conduit canpass through the hollow interior of the planting column, the conduitfluidly communicated with the reservoir. A fluid distributor can bepositioned atop the planting column, the fluid distributor in fluidcommunication with the conduit. Fluid can be selectively circulated fromthe reservoir through the conduit in the planting column and into thefluid distributor, where the fluid is redirected down the hollowinterior of the planting column and back to the reservoir. In someembodiments, the cover can arch upward from the base and have roundedwalls, the cover converging to the upper opening.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a hydroponic plantcultivation apparatus including a reservoir for holding fluid. Theapparatus can include a plurality of rollers, the reservoir position onthe plurality of rollers. A planting column can have a hollow interior,the planting column positioned above the reservoir. At least oneplanting port can be defined in the planting column for receiving plantsat least partially into the hollow interior of the planting column; aconduit passing through the hollow interior of the planting column, theconduit fluidly communicated with the reservoir. A fluid distributor canbe positioned atop the planting column, the fluid distributor in fluidcommunication with the conduit. Fluid can be selectively circulated fromthe reservoir through the conduit in the planting column to the fluiddistributor, where the fluid is redirected down the hollow interior ofthe planting column and back to the reservoir.

One objective of the present disclosure is to help maintain thetemperature of water or fluid in a reservoir of a hydroponic plantcultivation apparatus.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to help ease the processof moving or relocating a hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide improvedsealing characteristics between a reservoir and a conduit in theplanting column of a hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus.

Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the presentdisclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon areview of the following drawings and description of a preferredembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hydroponic plantcultivation apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the reservoir of the hydroponic plantcultivation apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the hydroponic cultivation apparatusof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a an exploded view of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a module for a planting column of the hydroponicplant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the module of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross section view of the hydroponic plantcultivation apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the flow of water up a conduitand into the hollow space of the planting column onto plants.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross section view of the hydroponic plantcultivation apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the connection between theplanting column and the reservoir.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the coupling of two modules in the plantingcolumn of the hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a seed basket of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross section view of the seed basket of FIG. 10 insertedinto a module of a hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hydroponicplant cultivation system having a generally spherical reservoir.

FIGS. 13-22 show various views of additional embodiments of a hydroponicplant cultivation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatare embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The patentablescope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerousequivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Suchequivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention andare covered by the claims.

To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, anumber of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein havemeanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in theareas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and“the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but ratherinclude the general class of which a specific example may be used forillustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specificembodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit theinvention, except as set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing,for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,”“lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc. referto the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. A personof skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assumedifferent orientations when in use.

An embodiment of a hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus 10 is shown inFIGS. 1-4. Apparatus 10 can include a reservoir 12 having a base 14 anda cover 16. Base 14 can define a first portion 18 of reservoir 12, andcover 16 can define a second portion 20 of reservoir 12, as shown inFIG. 2. As such, cover 16 can generally extend upward from base 14, andcover 16 in some embodiments can extend upward from a top edge 22 ofbase 14 to define second portion 20 of reservoir 12.

In some embodiments, a fill gauge 17 can extend through cover 16 andinto reservoir 12, fill gauge 17 indicating the level of nutrient richwater inside reservoir 12. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 15 and22, fill gauge 17 can be a float with an upward extending rod. Theupward extending rod can extend through a hole 17 a in cover 16, the rodof fill gauge 17 being movable up and down through the hole 17 a in thecover 16, such that as the water level in reservoir 12 changes, theamount which the rod of fill gauge 17 extends out of cover 16 can varyaccordingly. As such, fill gauge can be visible from the exterior ofreservoir 12. In some embodiments, the rod on fill gauge 17 can includecolor markings which can visually indicate the level of nutrient richwater in reservoir 12 and whether nutrient rich water should be added inreservoir 12. Therefore, the fill gauge allows a user to readilyascertain the water level of reservoir 12 and whether reservoir 12 needsto be refilled. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, cover 16 canalso include access port lid 93 which can be lifted to allow a user tolook inside reservoir 12 to inspect the water level inside reservoir 12.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, cover 16 can include an upper opening 28.Cover 16 extending upward from base 14 can allow upper opening 28 incover 16 to be vertically offset from top edge 22 of base 14 as comparedto conventional hydroponic systems with flat covers. In someembodiments, cover 16 can have a variety of shapes, including but notlimited to, square prism, rectangular prism, conical, pyramidal, domed,hemi-spherical, etc., each shape allowing for an upper opening 28 to bevertically offset from a top edge 22 of base 14.

A planting column 24 can be positioned above upper opening 28. Plantingcolumn 24 can have a hollow interior, and at least one planting port 46can be defined in planting column 24. Planting port 46 can be configuredto receive plants at least partially into the hollow interior ofplanting column 24. During operation of the apparatus 10, nutrient richwater is supply through planting column 24 such that water can contactthe roots of plants located in the hollow interior of planting column24, and plants can subsequently grow out of planting port 46. In someembodiments, planting port 46 can be oriented at an angle relative toplanting column 24 such that planting port 46 has a lower wall that isgenerally oriented at an upward angle, which can facilitate theinsertion of plants into planting port 46 as well as encourage plants togrow upward and out of planting column 24. In some embodiments theorientation angle of panting port 46 is between 30 and 60 degrees withrespect to an outer wall of planting column 24.

In some embodiments, a seed basket 47, shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 10-12,can be positioned in each of planting ports 46 in planting column 24.Seed baskets 47 can be used to hold a seed for a plant. Seed baskets 47can have multiple openings which can allow roots of the plants inplanting ports 46 to pass through seed baskets 47 and into plantingcolumn 24 where they can receive nutrient rich water, seed baskets 47also directing the plants themselves out of planting ports 46. As such,seed baskets 47 can help prevent plants from becoming trapped insideplanting column 24 while still allowing the roots of the plants toreceive nutrient rich water.

In some embodiments, base 14, cover 16, and planting column 24 can bemade of a heat-resistant material such as a resin material, such thatthe heat resistant material can help maintain a constant temperatureprofile within the plant cultivation system 10, which can help producemore consistent and efficient plant growth. In some embodiments, theresin material can be polystyrene. Heat resistant resins such aspolystyrene can provide beneficial thermal properties, while alsoproviding shock-resistant and light weight characteristics.

It may be necessary to remove cover 16 and planting column 24 from base14 on occasion. Having cover 16 extending upward from base 14 and anupper opening 28 vertically offset from upper edge 22 of base 14 canallow cover 16 and planting column 24 to be separated from base 14 andplaced on the ground, with upper opening 28 being vertically offset fromthe ground allowing water to drain from planting column 24 through upperopening 28, to help prevent water in planting column 24 fromoversaturating the plants.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, cover 16 can generally bedescribed as extending upward from the base 14 at an acute angle 30 withrespect to a vertical axis 32 of base 14 toward upper opening 28. Cover16 in some embodiments can arch or extend upward from base 14 and haverounded walls 26, cover 16 and rounded walls 26 converging to upperopening 28 in cover 16. In some embodiments, cover 16 can extend upwardarcuately from base 14, such that cover 16 can have a bowed, arched,curved, or rounded shape. In embodiments where cover 16 arches upwardfrom base 14, angle 30 formed between respective tangent lines 34 ofcover 16 and vertical axis 32 can vary along cover 16, such that cover16 can generally be described as extending at an acute angle 30 withrespect to vertical axis 32 toward upper opening 28, though the acuteangle at which cover 16 is extending toward upper opening 28 may bechanging along cover 16. In other embodiments, cover 16 can havesubstantially straight walls that extend at a consistent acute anglewith respect to vertical axis 32, for instance when cover 16 has aconical or pyramidal shape.

In some embodiments, cover 16 can have a substantially domed or roundedshape, the domed cover 16 converging to upper opening 28. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, cover 16 can have an S-shaped crosssection 36 forming a compound curve, the cross section 36 generallyrevolvable around vertical axis 32 to form cover 16. In suchembodiments, cross section 36 can have an inflexion point 38 where theconcavity of cross section 36 changes. As such, cover 16 can include aninflexion line 40, shown in FIG. 1, and in some embodiments, cover 16can extend upward arcuately from base 14 with a downward concavity, andcover 16 can change concavities across inflection line 40 as cover 16converges to upper opening 28. Cover 16 changing to an upward concavityas cover 16 converges to upper opening 28 can form an upward extensionportion 42 that defines upper opening 28, as shown in FIG. 2. Upwardextension portion 42 can also provide a vertical seat for plantingcolumn 44 to be nested in, as shown in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, base 14 can have sidewalls 48that extend arcuately in a downward direction from cover 16. Sidewalls48 can also extend arcuately inward from a lower edge 50 of cover 16. Assuch, base 14 and cover 16 in some embodiments can form a reservoir 12having a generally spherical shape, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12.Nutrient rich water 52 being stored in reservoir 12 can have an optimalstorage temperature. Having a reservoir 12 with a generally sphericalshape can help ensure that the temperature of water 52 stored inreservoir 12 can maintain an even temperature distribution, as aspherical reservoir can help optimize thermal dissipation within thereservoir.

One problem with conventional hydroponic plant cultivation systems isthat the reservoirs in such systems are generally square or rectangular.As such, hot or cold spots can develop in the corners of the reservoir.If the hot or cold spots fall outside of an optimal storage temperaturerange for the nutrient rich water, the efficacy and useful life of thenutrients located in those hot spots can be adversely affected, whichcan inhibit plant growth with the system. Having a generally sphericalreservoir can help eliminate hot or cold spots within the reservoir andhelp keep all of the nutrient rich water 52 in reservoir 12 at anoptimal storage temperature.

During the operation of apparatus 10, a space between cover 16 andnutrient rich water 52 can become humid, which can cause moisture toform on the underside of cover 16. Another potential benefit of having acover 16 that arches upward from base 14 or has a domed shape is thatany moisture forming on the underside of cover 16 within reservoir 12can be urged downward along cover 16 and back into nutrient rich watersupply 52, as shown in FIG. 2.

In conventional hydroponic systems with flat covers, moisture wouldremain on the underside of the flat covers and can eventually cause moldto grow on the underside of the covers. Mold in the reservoir canadversely affect the quality of the nutrient rich water supply and thegrowth of plants within the system. The growth of mold can also requirethe reservoir to be cleaned more frequently, which would require theoperation of the apparatus to be interrupted, and therefore plant growthwould be adversely affected. The urging of moisture on cover 16, whicharches upward from base 14, downward and into the water supply 52 canhelp reduce the growth of mold, which can help reduce cleaning time anddown time for apparatus 10.

A cross section view of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 3. A conduit 54 can passthrough hollow interior 56 of planting column 24. Conduit 54 can befluidly communicated with reservoir 12. A fluid distributor 58 can bepositioned atop planting column 24, fluid distributor 58 fluidlycommunicated with conduit 54. Fluid distributor 58 can include a lowerwall 62 having a plurality of dispersion holes 60 such that waterentering into fluid distributor 58 can disperse into planting column 24and onto plants contained with hollow interior 56 of planting column 24through dispersion holes 60. As such, nutrient rich water 52 can becirculated from reservoir 12 through conduit 54 in planting column 24 tofluid distributor 58, where the water can be redirected by fluiddistributor 58 downward through dispersion holes 60, down hollowinterior 56 of planting column 24, and back into reservoir 12 throughupper opening 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pump 64 can be positioned in reservoir 12. Asupply line or hose 66 can extend from pump 64 to conduit 54 of plantingcolumn 24. As such, pump 64 can force nutrient rich water from reservoir12 into conduit 54 to the top of planting column 24. In someembodiments, cover 16 can include a fluid coupler 76 which caneffectively couple supply line 66 to conduit 54, such that fluid couplercan act as a sealing jacket between supply line 66 and conduit 54. Insome embodiments, fluid coupler 76 can include a swivel bearing or otherfeature that allows supply line 66 to rotate with respect to coupler 76such that if planting column 24 or cover 16 were to rotate, supply linewouldn't twist and potentially kink. As such, supply line 66 can includea swivel hose.

In other embodiments, the supply line 66 can extend from the pump 64 toa splitter. A second supply line can extend from the splitter to aswivel connector to direct water upward into conduit 54. A drain linecan also be provided from the splitter, the drain line including aremovable plug. The drain line can extend out of reservoir 12. With theplug positioned on the drain line, pump 64 can direct water through thesecond supply line into conduit 54 during normal operation of apparatus10. With the plug removed, pump 64 can force water through the drainline such that water 52 can be drained from reservoir 12 when desired.

A power cord 77 can extend from pump 64. Power cord 77 can be pluggedinto a power grid in order to provide power to pump 64 and hydroponicplanting apparatus 10. In some embodiments, lower edge 50 can include anotch that can receive power cord 77 such that power cord 77 can passthrough cover 16 while cover 16 can be seated properly on base 14. Insome embodiments, pump 64 can run continuously as power is supplied topump 64. In other embodiments, pump 64 can include a timer such thatpump 64 can be programmed to operate at predetermined intervals. A timerfor pump 64 can allow apparatus 10 to operate while being unattended.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, cover 16 can include a fluidcoupler 76 positioned in upper opening 28. Fluid coupler 76 can beconfigured to fluidly couple supply line 66 and conduit 54 together whenplanting column 24 is positioned on or above upper opening 28, fluidcoupler 76 acting as a sealing jacket for the junction between conduit54 and supply line 66. Because cover 16 extends or arches upward fromthe base of reservoir 12, fluid coupler 76 can extend downward fromupper opening into second portion 20 of reservoir 12. In conventionalhydroponic systems with flat covers, such a fluid coupler could notextend below the upper opening in the cover because if the cover wasoptionally removed from the base and placed on the ground, the couplerwould hit the ground and potentially crack or break, which wouldadversely affect the integrity of the seal between the conduit and thefluid supply line.

Upward extending or arching cover 16 allows fluid coupler 76 to extenddown into second portion 20 of reservoir 12 without the risk of fluidcoupler 76 cracking or breaking when cover 16 is optionally placed onthe ground during cleaning, maintenance, etc. As such, cover 16 caninclude a significantly longer fluid coupler 76 than those in the priorart, which can produce a better sealing jacket for the junction betweenconduit 54 and supply line 66. A better seal can increase the efficiencyof water being pumped through conduit 54 to the fluid distributor.

An exploded view of apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 4. In someembodiments, planting column 24 can include at least a first module 78and a second module 80. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each module 78 and 80can include a hollow interior 56, a bottom wall 82 including a pluralityof drain holes 84, and an open top end 86. Each module 78 and 80 caninclude at least one planting port 46 configured to at least partiallyreceive plants into hollow interior 56 of modules 78 and 80. In someembodiments, modules 78 and 80 can include four planting ports 46, oneplanting port 46 located on each side of modules 78 and 80. As such,plants can grow out of all four sides of modules 78 and 80.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, bottom wall 82 of first module 78 can beconfigured to engage top open end 86 of second module 80, such thatfirst and second modules 78 and 80 can be stacked in an end to endconfiguration to form at least part of planting column 24. In someembodiments, bottom wall 82 of modules 78 and 80 can include multipleprotrusions 85 which can align with plant ports 46 located in top openend 86 of modules 78 and 80, such that when one module is placed onanother, protrusions 85 slide into planting ports 46 to engage bottomwall 82 with top open end 86. In some embodiments, protrusions 85 andplanting ports 46 can act as corresponding angular stop elements onbottom wall 82 and top open end 86, the angular stop elements preventingrelative rotation between first and second modules 78 and 80 when themodules are stacked on one another and bottom wall 82 engages top openend 86.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, planting column 24can include one or more support rods 81 that extend through holes inmodules 78 and 80. Support rods 81 can be configured to extend througheach module in planting column 24 such that support rods 81 help providestructural integrity to planting column 24 and prevent the modules fromfalling apart or moving relative to one another. Support rods 81 can bemade from any suitable material, including stainless steel in someembodiments.

As can be seen in FIGS. 14 and 19, in some embodiments, the apparatus 10can include a plurality of nuts 83 which can be used to secure supportrods 81 in position through support column 24 and fluid distributor 58.A nut 83 can be inserted onto support rod 81 and support rod 81 can thenbe inserted through support column 24 until the nut 83 abuts bottom wall82 of the lowest module in support column 24. In some embodiments, anadditional nut 83 can be positioned on the opposite side of bottom wall82 of the lowest module in support column 24 such that support rod 81 issecured in position relative to the lowest module in support column 24.Additional modules can then be positioned on support column 24 bysliding the modules down onto support rods 81 such that the modules arelinearly engaged together. Fluid distributor 58 can then be positionedon top of support column 24 with support rods 81 further extendingthrough fluid distributor 58. A nut 83 can then be positioned on supportrod 81 above a lower wall 62 of fluid distributor 58, such that supportcolumn 24 and fluid distributor 58 can be rigidly connected together andsupported by support rod 81. In embodiments with more than one supportrod 81, the above procedure can be repeated for each rod 81.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each of modules 78 and 80 can have a moduleconduit 88 extending from bottom wall 82 to top open end 86. Moduleconduit 88 can be configured to engage module conduits 88 on adjacentmodules, such that module conduit 88 on first module 78 can engagemodule conduit 88 on second module 80. The engagement of multiple moduleconduits 88 can form the overall conduit 54 that extends throughplanting column 24. Modules 78 and 80 can therefore be interchangeablystacked on top of one another to form planting column 24 such that asplants grow from modules 78 and 80, modules 78 and 80 can be reorganizedand restacked if needed to reduce crowding or interference of the plantsextending from planting column 24. Additional modules can also bereadily added to planting column 24 to increase the amount of plantsthat can be grown in planting column 24.

With first and second modules 78 and 80 stacked on top of one another, acontinuous conduit 54 can extend through support column 24. Fluiddistributor 58 can be positioned atop first module 78 and fluiddistributor 58 can be in fluid communication with conduit 54. As wateris pumped from the reservoir up conduit 54 to fluid distributor 58,water can be collected in fluid distributor 58 and exit fluiddistributor 58 through dispersing holes 60 into planting column 24 andhollow interior 56 of modules 78 and 80. Fluid distributor 58 can have atop plate 90 that can redirected water entering fluid distributor 58downward and ensure the water exits through dispensing holes 60. Watercan pass between modules 78 and 80 and any other modules in plantingcolumn 24 by passing through dispensing holes 84 in bottom wall 82 ofeach of the modules until the water returns to the reservoir. As thewater enters each module, the water can drip on the roots 90 of plantsreceived in hollow interior 56 of each module 78 and 80, therebypromoting growth of the plants. In some embodiments, hollow interior 56can include a planting medium, including but not limited to, air, rockwool, or any other suitable planting medium that can alleviate the needfor soil.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper opening 28 and theplanting column 24 can have a first pair of corresponding nestingelements 92, as well as a second pair of nesting elements 94. In someembodiments, the upper opening can include a first lip 96. A bottom wall82 of planting column 24, or a bottom wall 82 of the lowest module inplanting column 24, can be configured to nest inside first lip 96 of theupper opening, such that planting column 24 can nest inside upperopening 28. Additionally, upper opening 28 can include a second lip orgroove 98, and the bottom wall 82 of planting column 24 can furtherinclude an annular rib 100 that can be configured to nest within secondlip or groove 98. As such, planting column 24 and upper opening 28 caninclude two pairs of nesting elements 92 and 94 that can provide animproved seating of planting column 24 on upper opening 28. Nestingelements 92 and 94 can also help prevent lateral movement of plantingcolumn 24 relative to upper opening 28, which can help maintain theintegrity of the seals through conduit 54 as apparatus 10 is in use. Insome embodiments, first lip 96 can include upper opening angular stops102 that can engage protrusions 85 extending from bottom wall 82 ofplanting column 24 or the lowest module of planting column 24. As such,rotation of planting column 24 relative to upper opening 28 can beprevented by angular stops 102. In still further embodiments, a frictionor interference fit can be formed between one or more nesting elements92 and 94 on support column 24 and upper opening 28 of over 16 can helpprovide an even more secure engagement between support column and cover16.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 19, fluid distributor 58 and supportcolumn 24 can include a third set of nesting elements 95, which caninclude a step defined in lower wall 62 of fluid distributor 58. Thestep in the lower wall 62 of fluid distributor 58 can nest on the topopen end 86 of the upper most module in support column 24 such thatfluid distributor 58 can be nested on support column 24. In someembodiments, third nesting elements 95 can also form an interference orfriction fit between fluid distributor 58 and support column 24 toprovide a better engagement between fluid distributor 58 and supportcolumn 24.

Another problem with conventional hydroponic systems is that they can bedifficult to move or transport, especially with water remaining in thereservoir. Conventional reservoirs have flat bottoms that rest on theground. To move a conventional system the entire system has to be liftedand move to the new location. If water is present in the reservoir, thesystem can be increasingly heavy, which can require the water to bedrain before the system is moved, thereby wasting nutrient rich water.Additionally, if the system is moved with any water in the reservoir,the water has the potential to shift during transport and spill out ofthe reservoir, wasting nutrients and also causing a mess for theoperator to clean up.

To help alleviate this problem, some embodiments of apparatus 10 caninclude a plurality of rollers 104 connected to reservoir 12, as shownin FIG. 1. Reservoir 12 can be positioned on rollers 104 such that theweight of apparatus 10 is carried by rollers 104. As such, when anoperator desires to move apparatus 10, the operator can easily rollapparatus 10 via rollers 104 to the new location without having to liftthe potentially heavy apparatus 10, and without having to drain waterout of reservoir 12. In some embodiments, an annular indention 106 canbe defined in the bottom of reservoir 12, annular indention 106configured to receive rollers 104, as shown in FIG. 2. In otherembodiments, a separate recess can be defined in the bottom of reservoir12 for each roller 104. In some embodiments, rollers 104 can be figuredto snap fit into reservoir 12 such that rollers 104 can be quicklyassembled onto reservoir 12. Additionally, in some embodiments, rollers104 can be equipped with one or more stoppers or adjustable locks whichcan be actuated to prevent rollers 104 and apparatus 10 from movingunintentionally.

An additional benefit of rollers 104 is that reservoir 12 can sit off ofthe ground. As such, a bottom wall 108 of reservoir 12 is not requiredto support the weight of apparatus 10 when rollers 104 are attached toreservoir. As such, a diameter of bottom wall 108 can be smaller toaccommodate the inward curving sidewalls 48 of base 14. In someembodiments, bottom wall 108 of reservoir 12 can be rounded to furtherprovide reservoir 12 with a spherical shape to help optimize thermaldissipation and thermal continuity within reservoir 12.

As can be seen from FIG. 17, in some embodiments, lines of drain holes84 can be defined in bottom wall 82 of modules 78, 80, the linesextending radially from conduit 54. In some embodiments, modules 78 and80 can include 8 lines of drain holes 84 extending radially from conduit54, with each line containing 3 drain holes 84. In some embodiments, oneor more rod holes 87 can be defined in bottom wall 82 of modules 78 and80, the rod holes 87 being sized to allow a support rod to extendthrough rod holes 87 and the support column.

Similarly, as can be seen from FIG. 20, in some embodiments, lines ofdispersing holes 60 can be defined in lower wall 62 of fluid distributor58, the lines extending radially from conduit 54. In some embodiments,fluid distributor 58 can include 8 lines of dispersing holes 60extending radially from conduit 54, with each line containing 3dispersing holes 60. In some embodiments, one or more rod holes 87 canbe defined in lower wall 62 of fluid distributor 58, the rod holes 87being sized to allow a support rod to extend through rod holes 87 andfluid distributor 58.

In some embodiments, when fluid distributor 58 is positioned oversupport column 24, as shown in 22, support holes 85 in the modules ofsupport column 24 can be aligned with rod holes 87 in fluid distributor58 such that a support road 81 can extend through support column 24 andfluid distributor 58. In such embodiments, drain holes 84 in the modulesof support column 24 and the dispersing holes 60 in fluid distributorcan be substantially aligned, such that nutrient rich water passingthrough apparatus 10 generally flows downward in a straight lines.

In some embodiments, as can be seen in FIG. 22 dispersing holes 60 canhave a smaller diameter than the diameter of drain holes 84. It can bedesirable for a certain amount of nutrient rich water or tonic to becontained in fluid distributor 58, the nutrient rich water then beingperiodically be dispersed through dispersion holes 60. As such,dispersing holes 60 having a generally small diameter can allow nutrientrich water to build up in fluid distributor 60. As nutrient rich waterin fluid distributor 58 reaches a certain level, pressure created by theweight of the built up nutrient rich water can then force water to bedispersed through dispersion holes 60 evenly. If dispersing holes 60 hada diameter that was too large, then nutrient rich water would not beretained in fluid distributor 58 and nutrient rich water wouldpotentially not disperse through dispersion holes 60, and thereforeapparatus 10, evenly, which could negatively affect the growth of plantscontained within apparatus 10.

If drain holes 84 in the various modules of the support column 24 aretoo small, then nutrient rich water could be retained and stored in onemodule, which could produce a shortage of water in other lower modules.As such, drain holes 84 in some embodiments can be sized to generallyallow uninhibited flow of nutrient rich water through the modules andthe support column 24. As such, the drain holes 84 having a largerdiameter than the diameter of dispersing holes 60 can allow fluid to bebuilt up in fluid distributor 58 such that fluid can be evenlydistributed through the apparatus 10, while simultaneously allowingfluid to flow through all modules of support column 24 freely, once thefluid passes through dispersing holes 60. In some embodiments, thediameter of the dispersing holes 60 can be about 3 mm, and the diameterof the drain holes 84 can be about 6 mm.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of thepresent invention of a new and useful Improved Hydroponic PlantCultivating Apparatus, it is not intended that such references beconstrued as limitations upon the scope of this invention.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatuscomprising: a reservoir for holding fluid, the reservoir including alower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion extending upwardfrom the lower portion at an acute angle with respect to a vertical axisof the lower portion, the upper portion converging to an upper openingvertically offset from the lower portion; a planting column defining atleast one interior space, the planting column positioned above the upperopening in the upper portion of the reservoir; at least one plantingport defined in the planting column for receiving plants at leastpartially into the at least one interior space of the planting column; aconduit passing through the at least one interior space of the plantingcolumn, the conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir; a fluiddistributor positioned atop the planting column, the fluid distributorin fluid communication with the conduit; wherein fluid is selectivelycirculated from the reservoir through the conduit to the fluiddistributor, where the fluid is redirected down the at least oneinterior space of the planting column and back to the reservoir.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein the upper opening of the reservoir isdefined by an upper extension portion, the upper extension portionforming a vertical seat in which planting column is received.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein the planting column and the upper openinginclude a first pair of corresponding nesting elements and a second pairof corresponding nesting elements.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21,further comprising a pump positioned in the reservoir, wherein theconduit is in fluid communication with the pump.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 24, further comprising a fluid coupler positioned in thereservoir, the fluid coupler configured to fluidly communicate theconduit with the pump.
 26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the upperportion extends upward arcuately from the lower portion.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein the planting column comprises at least afirst module and a second module, each module including at least oneinterior space, a top end, a bottom end, the bottom end of the firstmodule engaging the top end of the second module, and a wall throughwhich is defined a plurality of drain holes and a module conduitaperture through which at least a portion of the conduit extends. 28.The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the bottom end of the first moduleand the top end of the second module include corresponding angular stopelements, the angular stop elements preventing relative rotation betweenthe first and second modules when the bottom end of the first moduleengages the top end of the second module.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27,wherein the bottom end of the first module is configured to releasablyengage the top end of the second module.
 30. The apparatus of claim 21,further comprising at least one basket positioned in the at least oneplanting port.
 31. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus comprising:a reservoir for holding fluid, the reservoir having a first portion anda second portion arching upward from the first portion; an upper openingdefined in the second portion; a conduit in fluid communication with thereservoir extending above the upper opening; a plurality of plantingmodules stacked atop one another in an end to end configuration abovethe upper opening in the second portion of the reservoir, each moduleincluding a sidewall, an interior space, at least one planting portdefined in the sidewall for receiving a plant at least partially intothe interior space, a top end, a bottom end configured to releasablyengage the top end, a wall including a plurality of drain holes and amodule conduit aperture through which at least a portion of the conduitextends; a fluid distributor positioned atop the plurality of plantingmodules, the fluid distributor in fluid communication with the conduit;and means for selectively retaining the plurality of planting modulesstacked atop one another above the upper opening of the reservoir;wherein fluid is selectively circulated from the reservoir through theconduit to the fluid distributor, where the fluid is redirected downthrough the interior space of each planting module and back to thereservoir.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a pumppositioned in the reservoir, wherein the conduit is in fluidcommunication with the pump.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, furthercomprising a fluid coupler positioned in the reservoir, the fluidcoupler configured to fluidly communicate the conduit with the pump. 34.The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the means for selectively retainingthe plurality of planting modules stacked atop one another above theupper opening of the reservoir comprises a pair of corresponding nestingelements.
 35. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus comprising: areservoir for holding fluid, the reservoir including a lower portion andan upper portion, the upper portion having curved walls arching upwardfrom the lower portion that converge to an upper opening verticallyoffset from the lower portion; a planting column defining an interiorspace, the planting column releasably engageable with the upper openingin the reservoir; at least one planting port defined in the plantingcolumn for receiving plants at least partially into the interior spaceof the planting column; a conduit receivable in the planting column, theconduit in fluid communication with the reservoir when received in theplanting column and the planting column is engaged with the upperopening in the cover; a fluid distributor releasably engageable with atop of the planting column, the fluid distributor in fluid communicationwith the conduit when the fluid distributor is engaged with the top ofthe planting column; a pump receivable in the reservoir; and a fluidcoupler configured to fluidly couple the pump to the conduit when theplanting column is engaged with the upper opening in the cover; whereinfluid is selectively circulatable from the reservoir through the conduitto the fluid distributor, where the fluid is redirected down theinterior space of the planting column and back to the reservoir when theplanting column is engaged with the reservoir, the conduit is in fluidcommunication with the reservoir, and the fluid distributor is engagedwith the planting column.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: theplanting column comprises at least a first module and a second module,each module including a sidewall, an interior space, at least oneplanting port defined in the sidewall for receiving a plant at leastpartially into the interior space, a top end, a bottom end, the bottomend of the first module configured to releasably engage the top end ofthe second module, an interior wall, a plurality of drain holes and acentral conduit aperture through which at least a portion of the conduitis receivable defined in the interior wall of each module.
 37. Theapparatus of claim 36, wherein the bottom end of the first module andthe top end of the second module include corresponding angular stopelements, the angular stop elements preventing relative rotation betweenthe first and second modules when the bottom end of the first module isreleasably engaged with the top end of the second module.
 38. Theapparatus of claim 37, wherein the angular stop elements are aligned tothe at least one planting port of each module such that the at least oneplanting port of the first module is vertically aligned with the atleast one planting port of the second module when the bottom end of thefirst module is releasably engaged with the top end of the secondmodule.
 39. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising at least onebasket configured to be received in the at least one planting port. 40.The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising: a plurality of rollers;and one or more recesses defined in a bottom of the reservoir, theplurality of rollers configured to be received by the one or morerecesses such that the weight of the reservoir is carried by theplurality of rollers to facilitate movement of the apparatus.